Sacred Grove (Nocturne)

Here's a comprehensive strategy guide for Sacred Grove:

Sacred Grove Strategy Guide

Introduction Sacred Grove is a unique $5-cost Action-Fate card from the Nocturne expansion that combines reliable economy with the randomness of Boons, while introducing an interesting multiplayer dynamic. Understanding how to leverage its strengths and manage its risks is crucial for effective gameplay.

Core Features 1. Guaranteed Benefits - +1 Buy - +$3 - One Boon (for you, and potentially others)

The guaranteed portions of Sacred Grove (+$3 and +1 Buy) make it comparable to Market (+$1, +1 Card, +1 Action, +1 Buy) or Bazaar (+2 Actions, +1 Card, +$1) in terms of raw economic value. The $3 bonus is significant, matching cards like Gold for money generation.

Boon Distribution Mechanics Understanding the Boon distribution is crucial: 1. You always receive the Boon first 2. If the Boon doesn't give +$1, other players may choose to receive it 3. Key monetary Boons that prevent sharing: - The Field's Gift (+$1, +1 Action) - The Forest's Gift (+$1) - The Mountain's Gift (gain a Silver) - The Sun's Gift (look at deck top, discard/keep)

Strategic Considerations

1. Economic Role Sacred Grove is primarily an economic card with a strong +$3 bonus. This makes it:
2. Excellent for reaching Province price points
3. Strong in Big Money strategies
4. Reliable treasure substitute

5. Good support for engine components

6. Timing Considerations When to play Sacred Grove matters significantly:

7. Early game: Helps reach key price points quickly
8. Mid-game: Supports major purchases
9. Late game: Can help clinch crucial Provinces

10. Consider playing it last in your Action sequence to minimize negative impacts from shared Boons

11. Multiplayer Dynamics

Advantages: - Strong economic boost regardless of opponents - Some Boons might help you more than others - Can create interesting tactical decisions for opponents

Disadvantages: - Shared Boons can benefit opponents - Multiple opponents increase the chance of Boon utilization - May accelerate opponent's strategies

1. Boon Analysis

Beneficial Boons (Don't Share): - The Field's Gift (+$1, +1 Action) - The Forest's Gift (+$1) - The Mountain's Gift (gain Silver) - The Sun's Gift (deck control)

Potentially Shareable Boons: - The Earth's Gift (may trash a card from hand) - The Flame's Gift (may trash a card from hand, +1 Card) - The Moon's Gift (discard 3 cards, +3 Cards) - The River's Gift (+1 Card) - The Sea's Gift (discard X cards, draw X cards) - The Sky's Gift (discard any for +$1 each) - The Swamp's Gift (gain a Will-o'-Wisp) - The Wind's Gift (discard 2 cards, +2 Cards)

Combo Potential

1. Card Draw Engines Sacred Grove works well in draw engines because:
2. Provides significant money without requiring treasure
3. +1 Buy enables multiple purchases
4. Some Boons provide additional draw or deck control

Strong partners: - Laboratory variants - Caravan - Council Room - Drawing terminal silver cards

1. Trashing Strategies Several Boons enable trashing, making Sacred Grove valuable in:
2. Chapel-based decks
3. Trading Post strategies
4. Remodel variations

5. Apprentice combinations

6. Action-Heavy Decks The Field's Gift (+$1, +1 Action) makes Sacred Grove particularly valuable in:

7. Village/smithy engines
8. King's Court chains

9. Festival-based strategies

10. Specific Card Synergies

Strong Combinations: - Throne Room/King's Court: Multiplies the economic benefit - Bridge: Helps reach critical price points - Laboratory variants: Maintains hand size while adding economy - Market Square: Capitalizes on potential discards - Treasury: Works well with the +Buy - Wandering Minstrel: Helps manage Action density

Counter Strategies

1. Rush Strategies
2. Rushing Provinces can minimize the impact of shared Boons

3. Gardens strategies can outpace Sacred Grove's economic advantage

4. Attack Cards

5. Militia/Discard attacks reduce the effectiveness of Boon choices
6. Ghost Ship can disrupt deck management Boons

7. Cursing attacks can dilute Sacred Grove's economic impact

8. Alternative Victory Strategies

9. Duke
10. Gardens
11. Silk Road
12. Can potentially outpace Sacred Grove's economic focus

When to Buy Sacred Grove

Early Game ($4-5 Opens): Pros: - Strong economic boost - Helps reach key price points - Establishes buying power

Cons: - Might enable opponents too early - Could delay engine building - Terminal action

Mid Game: Pros: - Supports major purchases - Flexible economic support - Can complement established engines

Cons: - May be too late for maximum impact - Could crowd out other important $5 purchases

Late Game: Pros: - Reliable Province purchasing - Less time for shared Boons to matter - Can clinch crucial buys

Cons: - Might not cycle enough times - Could be too late for economic impact

Number of Sacred Groves to Buy

Minimal (1-2): - When supporting other strategies - In fast games - When better $5 options exist

Medium (2-3): - Primary economic strategy - Balanced approach - Multiple terminals acceptable

Heavy (3+): - Big Money variant - Strong action support available - Limited alternative options

Kingdom Considerations

Favorable Kingdoms: 1. Strong action support (Villages, Throne Rooms) 2. Card draw available 3. Trashing present 4. Limited attack cards 5. Terminal space available

Unfavorable Kingdoms: 1. Heavy attack presence 2. Competing terminal actions 3. Alternative VP strategies 4. Strong engine components at $5 5. Cursing attacks

Sample Strategies

1. Sacred Grove Big Money
2. 2-3 Sacred Groves
3. 1-2 Silver

4. Provinces Focus on economic efficiency and minimal deck complexity

5. Sacred Grove Engine

6. 2 Sacred Groves
7. Villages
8. Card draw

9. Support actions Balance terminal actions with engine components

10. Sacred Grove Hybrid

11. 2 Sacred Groves
12. Limited engine pieces
13. Selective support cards Flexible approach combining reliability with engine potential

Conclusion

Sacred Grove is a solid economic card with interesting multiplayer dynamics. Its reliable +$3 and +1 Buy make it a strong contender in many strategies, while the Boon element adds complexity and tactical considerations. Success with Sacred Grove requires:

1. Understanding the timing of purchases
2. Managing terminal action density
3. Evaluating Kingdom context
4. Considering opponent strategies
5. Balancing risk/reward of Boon sharing

The card shines brightest when: - Economic pressure is important - Terminal space is available - Boon synergies exist - Multiplayer dynamics can be managed

Limitations to consider: - Terminal action status - Potential opponent benefits - Kingdom context dependency - Timing sensitivity

When properly utilized, Sacred Grove can be a powerful economic engine that provides consistent value while creating interesting tactical decisions for all players.